Thursday, February 16, 2017

Dog saliva or drool is often clear or watery in color, but
can be white, depending on the individual dog.
Dogs drool excessively for three main reasons – they are from a breed
prone to drooling; they are anticipating food or they are sick. If you see your dog drooling and he is not
staring at food or from a drool-prone breed, then your dog may be sick. Check the dog immediately for other signs of
illness, such as loss of appetite, fever or vomiting.

Dog Breeds Prone to
Drool

Dog breeds prone to drool excessively or slobber are usually
large breeds with wrinkles around the faces.
They drool constantly in order to help them catch and hold onto a
scent. These dogs cannot stop drooling. They will even drool in their sleep. Owners learn to carry around a rag used to
wipe off the mouths.

The bloodhound is a notorious drooler. Although now a rare breed, bloodhounds can
wind up in animal rescues because their owners did not realize how much their
new dogs would drool.

Other drooling dog breeds include the St. Bernard, the Dogue
de Bourdeaux, the Great Pyrenees, the Great Dane, the bullmastiff, the English
mastiff, the Neapolitan mastiff, the Newfoundland
and the Kuvasz. Other breeds that drool
a lot depending on the individual include the Bassett hound, the boxer, the
bulldog and the French bulldog.

Bloat

Excessive drooling is a common symptom of bloat or gastric
dilation – a potentially lethal digestive disorder similar to colic in
horses. Dogs prone to bloat have wide
chests and narrow waists, including boxers, Great Danes, German shepherds,
Dobermans, Rottweilers, Akitas, Irish setters, Standard poodles and golden
retrievers.

Other symptoms include retching without bringing up any
food, restlessness, panting, whining, pacing, low grade fever, loss of appetite
and abdominal pain. Symptoms begin
within one hour of eating. The dog must
immediately be taken to a vet or she could die in as little as 6 hours.

Nausea

Excessive drooling or slobbering is a common symptom of
nausea. My dog, Pony, licks her lips
after she starts drooling and right before she throws up or begins to dry
heave. Pony suffers from bilious
vomiting syndrome. But once she starts
licking her lips, she is immediately taken outside to vomit or expel bile.

Dogs become nauseated for a variety of reasons, from common
motion sickness to poisoning. Common
poisons for dogs include chocolate, over the counter human medications, car
lubricants and pesticides. Call a vet if
the drooling is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, coordination
problems or constant vomiting.

Has the dog recently started a new medication? Excessive drooling can be a side effect. Call the vet to be sure that the dosage does
not need to be reduced or that our dog is not suffering from an overdose.

Other Causes

The stereotypical scene of a rabid dog is the wild-eyed,
slobber-plastered St. Bernard in the horror movie Cujo (1983). But not all
dogs that are covered in white or clear slobber along their necks and chests
have rabies.

Dogs with mouth sores or periodontal disease will drool as a
means to cope with the pain. Has the dog
recently been in a scrap with another animal?
Dogs use their mouths to protect themselves. This means the mouths will bear the brunt of
attacks from another. The dog needs his
mouth checked by a vet in order to help clear up these problems.

Cysts or tumors of the salivary glands can also cause
excessive drooling or slobbering in dogs.
Contents of cysts may leak into the dog’s mouth and then drip out of the
mouth. Cysts need to be drained and in
some instances need to be surgically removed.

American bulldogs
are not as prone to health problems as English bulldogs because American
bulldogs have longer muzzles and legs. However, American bulldogs are prone to
health conditions such as hip dysplasia, atopy and demodex mange, notes Sheldon
L. Gerstenfeld, VMD, author of ASPCA
Complete Guide to Dogs (Chronicle Books; 1999.)

Dogchannel.com
notes that many American Bulldogs have sensitive skin, but washing with a
gentle baby shampoo can help keep the skin from getting itchy. Some dogs
will have different colored eyes, but this usually does not denote poor health
such as deafness or vision problems.

Hip Dysplasia

Any large, solidly built dog
breeds with large appetites are prone to hip dysplasia, not just the American
bulldog. The ball of the femur does not fit in properly to the hip socket,
causing pain, lameness and sometimes deformity. This is a genetic condition, so
any dogs diagnosed with hip dysplasia should not be bred.

Although there is still a lot
unknown about hip dysplasia, it seems diet plays a big role in whether an
American bulldog develops it or not. American bulldogs normally have voracious
appetites. This can lead to obesity and filling up on the canine equivalent of
junk food instead of nutritious food. Some breeders and owners swear by a raw
diet, but many vets frown on raw diets. A dog needs a high quality protein and
a low fat diet to help maintain weight and stay healthy.

Atopy

Atopy is the short name for atopic dermatitis or allergic
inhalant dermatitis. This is a genetic skin condition seen in a wide variety of
breeds and not just the American bulldog. Dogs with
atopy are super-allergic to some material such as feathers, house dust, ragweed
or pollen. Symptoms include intensely itchy skin, hair loss due to scratching,
swellings and sneezing. Dogs, no matter what breed, usually develop atopy
before they are three years old.

This is a frustrating but treatable condition, as long as
the allergen can be identified. Treatment includes removing the allergen (if
possible), allergy shots, oral allergy tablets such as antihistamines to reduce
swelling and possibly antibiotics if the dog has scratched or licked the skin
open. Affected dogs may need topical creams to stop itching and an Elizabethan
collar to stop scratching. Use the gentlest shampoos recommended by a vet.

Demodex
Mange

Also called demodectic mange or red mange, this is a type of mange
caused by the Demodex family of mites. Unlike sarcoptic mange, demodex mange is
not contagious. Demodex mites live inside of individual hair follicles. Adult dogs
tend to have immunity to demodex mites, so over half of canines with demodex
mange are puppies. But if an adult American bulldog has a chronic health problem,
this could lower the dog’s natural resistance to the mites.

Most cases can be managed through anti-parasite
medications like Ivermectin; medicated dips and diet changes. The younger the
dog, the higher the chances are for a complete recovery. If a dog or puppy does
get a relapse, it occurs within 6 to 12 months of the first infection, notes
Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

Monday, February 13, 2017

The Irish setter is one of the most familiar breeds of dog
in both American and Europe. But not many people have heard about the
Irish red and white setter, considered the ancestor breed of the Irish
setter. Even today, some all-red Irish
setters produce puppies with some white patches. The popularity of the all-red Irish setter
nearly wiped out the Irish red and white setter. Today, they are rare, even in Ireland.

Brief History

Like the Irish setter, the Irish red and white setter was
bred to be a highly trainable, enthusiastic hunting companion. It is unknown how old the breed is, but the
breed is at least as old as the late 1700s.
But by 1850, fashion dictated that all-red dogs were preferred over red
and white coats. Although the Irish red
and white setter was celebrated on an Irish postage stamp in the early 1900s,
the breed was in a steep decline.

Both breeds were called the Irish setter and even showed in
the same classes. But by the end of
World War II, Irish dog breeders decided to separate the two breeds. Although some dogs had been imported to the United States
in the 1800s, the breed disappeared until more dogs were imported in the
1960s. By 1997, there was enough
interest in the rare breed to start the Irish Red and White Setter Association.

Comparison to the
Irish Setter

The two Irish setter breeds differ in more than just
color. Irish red and white setters
average 22 to 26 inches tall, slightly smaller than the Irish setter, especially
those in America,
where taller togs are preferred in the show ring. Irish setters average 24 to 27 inches
tall. While Irish setters weigh in at 60
to 70 pounds, Irish red and white setters can be as light as 40 pounds but some
males can weigh 70 pounds. Like with the
Irish setter, males are generally taller and heavier than females.

Irish setters have long, floppy ears that practically hug
the sides of the head. In contrast, the
Irish red and white setter’s ears are set higher and stick out further from the
head. The ears also are usually shorter,
too. The Irish red and white setter is
less prone to ear infections because their ears get better air circulation.

Temperament

There are many books, vets and dog owners that will assert
that Irish red and white setters are not as scatterbrained as Irish
setters. However, temperament varies
widely in individual dogs due to their health and training, so this
generalization should be taken with a large grain of salt.

These dogs need plenty of exercise in order to be trainable
and to prevent health disorders such as hip dysplasia. Because they were bred to hunt, these dogs
may chase or harass smaller pets but tend to get along with other dogs. Irish red and white setters do well in canine
sports such as agility or flyball and have even been trained to be search and
rescue dogs.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

The soft-coated Wheaten Terrier,
often called “wheatens” or “wheaties” for short, has both an unusual coat color
and an unusual temperament for terriers. Unlike many other terrier breeds,
Wheatens are often far more quiet and less prone to yapping at the drop of a
hat. When Wheatens vocalize, it’s usually for a good reason. This trait makes
Wheatens good watchdogs.

Wheatens have
successfully been trained as therapy dogs, particularly for visiting patients
in hospitals. Wheatens are intelligent, people-loving animals that can get
easily bored and become quite mischievous.

Needs Exercise

Wheatens were bred in Ireland in
the 1700s as an all-around farm dog. A Wheaten cleared the barns of rodents,
checked the fields with his master and then sat under his master’s chair at the
local pub. Wheatens had to deal with people, cats, large animals, loud noises,
strange smells and large families but they were also bred to be on the move
most of the day.

Today’s Wheatens retain their
level-headedness provided they get at least one 30 minute walk per day and
plenty of chances to romp in enclosed space. If Wheatens are denied chances at
regular exercise, they can get hyper and develop bad habits out of boredom.
Wheatens also should never be strictly outdoor watchdogs. They are far more
trainable and level-headed when allowed to interact with their family or
individual owner.

What About Children?

Wheatens have a great reputation
as family dogs, but they still need training and regular exercise. Children
need to treat a Wheaten gently and compassionately. They cannot tolerate
teasing or tail-pulling. Also, no matter how friendly or long-suffering a dog
is, never leave small children under the age of 8 alone with a dog. This is for
the dog’s safety as well as the child’s.

Wheatens have a habit of
exuberantly greeting friends, which can include jumping up on people and
licking their faces. This could potentially knock over or frighten a child.
Although Wheatens can be trained not to jump up on people, this training takes
time. Jumpy puppies and dogs should be on a lead when meeting a child for the first
time, so the owner can help control the dog should they become
bouncy.

In Conclusion

Not all soft-coated Wheaten
Terriers will behave the same. Individual temperaments are molded by individual
health, past history and training. But Wheatens in general are the quietest of
the terrier breeds. They love people and try to please. They may develop some
silly habits in order to help train their people, such as sleeping on their
backs to invite tummy-rubs. But Wheatens need regular exercise in order to keep
their temperaments sweet.

The first step in fighting puppy mills is to not ignore what
really goes on. Puppy mills produce both puppies and misery. They will often be crammed in a cage with
several other dogs, have not enough to eat, not enough to sleep and never be
let outside. This forces all of the dogs
to sleep and eat in their own urine and feces or on the bodies of their dead
cage mates. They are never looked after
by veterinarians and are not euthanized when they become infertile or
sick.

They are shot, electrocuted, drowned or dispatched in some
other way. Their bodies are then buried
or ground into fertilizer because, as puppy mill owner Henry Stoltzfus put it,
“Puppies are biodegradable.”

Never Buy a Puppy

There are so many dogs and puppies that need homes that
there is no excuse to buy one. Never buy
a puppy from a pet store, because all pet stores are supplied by puppy mills,
no matter what the employees tell you.
If you have the option, never even buy pet supplies from stores that
sell puppies.

Never buy a dog or puppy off of the Internet, especially
from sites that ship puppies to anywhere in the world and can get a hold of any
breed you want. These sites are just
puppy mills in disguise. Never buy or
adopt a pet sight unseen from an internet site.
This not only could be a puppy mill, but a scam.

Never buy a puppy or dog from a newspaper ad or magazine ad,
even if the ad is in a national dog publication and claims that the puppy has
papers. Magazines and the American
Kennel Club do not bother inspecting every breeder to be sure that they are not
a puppy mill. They just take the
registration fees and pocket it.

Support Anti-Puppy
Mill Legislation

Politicians will do just about anything to get votes –
including voting for anti-puppy mill laws if they get enough people to write or
call them. Even if you do not have the
time to write or call, you can email. If
you cruise on over to websites that feature online petitions, you can add your
own electronic signature.

When your elected official does vote for anti-puppy mill
legislation, thank them. This can be
done with a quick phone call, by snail mail or email. This reminds the politicians of how important
this issue is to their constituents.

Write To News Outlets

Has a news story about a puppy mill been featured in your
local television news station, magazine or newspaper? Write or email a quick thank you to that
publication or station for bringing the issue to public attention. Many online news sources also feature stories
about prosecuting puppy mill owners, shutting down puppy mills or dog
auctions.

A quick email of thanks or a few sentences in their comments
box can help encourage that particular news outlet to focus more on stories
about puppy mills and how to stop them.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Please do not use this article in the place of a
veterinarian’s diagnosis

When you get a puppy or dog, you will suddenly find total
strangers walking up to you and lecturing you about how and what to feed your
canine companion. This happened to me as
a first-time puppy owner when I was living in England. Now that I and my grown-up puppy live in America, I
still get total strangers lecturing me about what to feed my dog. I had people telling me what my puppy should
eat, how much and how often.

If this happens to you, just nod politely at the stranger
and go on following the tips from your veterinarian, your breeder or your
animal rescue center. But for the
average, healthy dog, the top five nutrition tips are the same.

Number Five: Give
Small Treats

Dogs are excited by the whole ritual of getting a treat that
they do not care how large the treat is.
Treats should not make up most of a dog’s diet. When they do get treats, say as reward in
clicker training, these treats can be as small as possible. For a Labrador retriever, the pieces can be
as small as the pink part of your thumbnail.
Dogs with very small mouths can take smaller pieces.

Number Four: No Free Choice
Feeding

Free choice feeding is a method used by cat owners. A bowl of dry food is left out all day and
all night so the cat eats whenever he feels like it. This method works well for cats and their
temperamental appetites, but is not recommended for healthy dogs and
puppies. Dogs will stuff themselves
until they puke – and then they’ll eat the puke. Unless your veterinarian recommends free
feeding, never leave a bowl of kibble out all day long. Remove any uneaten kibble ten minutes after
placing the bowl down.

Number Three: No
Sudden Diet Changes

Any new foods need to be slowly introduced to a dog, or they
may suffer gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea, notes ASPCA
Complete Guide to Dogs (Chronicle Books; 1999.) Even changing over to a new brand of kibble
should be done gradually over the course of 7 to 10 days.

Number Two: Feed More Than Once Per Day

My dogs do best on two meals per day, plus a few small
treats here and there. Sometimes, they
may skip breakfast, but they have yet to skip dinner because that’s the meal
where they get a bit of canned food added to their kibble. Neither of my dogs are prone to bloat or
hypoglycemia. Dogs that are need to be
fed at least twice a day for the rest of their lives.

Number One: No Added
Supplements

Healthy dogs and puppies will not need nutritional
supplements or vitamins, according to Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook (Howell Book House; 2007.) Supplements are not only expensive, but they may do
more harm than good. Supplements – even
vitamins – should only be given as instructed by a veterinarian to treat a
specific medical condition. For example,
your vet may recommend adding chondroitin sulfate for an arthritic dog. But there is no need to give it while the dog
has full mobility.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Housebreaking a puppy is not
rocket science. But rocket science can seem a lot easier in comparison to
many people who live with a puppy for the first time. Training a puppy
where to toilet is conceptually easy, with very few steps or equipment
involved.

But it takes persistence and
patience – which many people do not have, especially if they bought the puppy
on impulse or received one as a gift. Not being house-trained is one of
the reasons that puppies six months of age or older are surrendered to shelters
or abandoned.

First Time

Ideally, you need to figure out
in advance where you want the puppy to urinate and defecate. Depending on
where you live, this could be anywhere outside the home, in one corner of the
yard or in an indoor litter pan that is often covered in artificial
grass. When you bring the puppy home, place the puppy on that area as
soon as you get him or her out of the car.

Puppies have small
bladders. It should be less than fifteen minutes before the puppy has to
urinate. Praise the puppy with words and with petting and then bring the
puppy inside (or to another area of the home). This helps set the stage
for later training.

When You Gotta Go…

Before a puppy or dog squats to
urinate or defecate, a lot of time is spent sniffing for the right spot.
They may walk around in small circles while sniffing or suddenly start pawing
at the floor. Immediately pick up the puppy and take them to the
designated toilet area. Praise when they squat.

This is where a lot of first-time
puppy owners fall down on the job. They just don’t pay enough attention
to their puppies and miss the silent signals that the puppy has to go.
Puppies will also need to go right after they wake up from a long nap or overnight
sleep, a few minutes after eating and after a few minutes of vigorous
play.

A two months old puppy needs to
urinate, on average, every two hours, morning and night. A three month
old puppy may be able to hold on for three hours; a four month old four hours
and a five month old for five hours. If you cannot get the puppy outside
often enough, don’t blame the puppy for having an accident.

Submissive Urination

Until dogs are about a year and a
half old, they will be subject to bouts of submissive urination. This is
an evolutionary survival tactic that all canids display. A puppy flattens
the ears, shows its belly and releases a few drops pf urine to a more dominant
or stronger dog. The urine drops are to show that the puppy is much weaker
than whatever dog he or she is submitting to.

Puppies also do this to
people. So if the puppy seems scared, expect a few drops to leak
out. Don’t yell and don’t strike the puppy. This will only
encourage the puppy to pee some more in trying to appease you. Puppies
outgrow this behavior.

What About Rubbing His Nose In
It?

A common misconception is that if
you rub a puppy's nose in its urine or droppings, it knows never to pee or poop
there again. This is wrong and it is cruel. Puppies have a very
limited attention span. Unless you catch them in the act, they will have
no idea that the reason you are so upset is that pile on the floor made hours
ago. In the puppy's eyes, you will have flipped out for no reason.

Just clean the mess up and take
the puppy outside. When cleaning up urine from carpet, use an
enzyme-based cleaner to eliminate any traces of ammonia. It's that scent
puppies look for when walking about in circles, sniffing.

About Me

Rena Sherwood is a fan of Peter Gabriel Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes: a lucid dreamer; a horseless horse lover; and a freelance writer who has lived in the UK and the US.
She holds an Associate's in Liberal Arts and a Bachelor's in English. She's been writing web content since 2006. Her first eBook, Not the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, came out in 2014. She is currently writing a science fiction book on horse racing.
Please do not use any blogs in the place of a medical professional's diagnosis. If you want Rena to write for your blog or site, contact her at JPWS61@aol.com